Verve Chardonnay

(2025) A lemony and flinty rendition of Chardonnay from 20-year-old vines planted on well-drained sandy and loam soils. The wine fermented spontaneously in older French oak barriques. Aromas are zesty with that wild, herbal edge of natural yeast ferment. It's all rounded out by a subtle, buttery character. Plenty of creamy texture on the palate, that sits between nectarine and citrus, again a flinty edge honing the picture. Grapefruit and bitter orange add some real tang to an otherwise quite expensive Chardonnay.

You'd be forgiven for guessing this was a more youthful wine than it is. Fresh as a daisy, this graceful, ageworthy Chard opens with tangy fruit—oranges and nectarines—streaked by seashell-like minerals, gingery spice, honeysuckle and a hint of buttered toast. The palate is brightened by a pristine line of acidity and those saline, mineral nuances run through to the lengthy finish. This has another decade left in it at least.